Na Fianna dual star Conor McHugh. Photo: Sportsfile
Conor McHugh and Brian O’Leary led the way for Na Fianna in their 1-20 to 1-15 victory over Clontarf to seal their place in the Dublin SFC1 semi-finals, where they will face Kilmacud Crokes.
Despite early points from O’Leary, McHugh and Ciarán Reddin in the Saturday afternoon encounter, Na Fianna were struggling by the end of the first quarter. Charlie Meehan’s three points from play and Jack McCaffrey’s breakaway goal saw them trail by 1-6 to 0-3.
A Reddin goal in the 19th minute helped settle his side and three points on the bounce from McHugh saw Na Fianna gain the upper hand over their opponents. The momentum would switch once again, however, as Clontarf finished the half strongly through points by Meehan, Nathan Doran and Kieran McKeon to hold a slender 1-11 to 1-10 half-time lead.
Na Fianna’s defence began to dominate in the second half and they provided the platform for McHugh (0-10) and O’Leary (0-5) to confirm their place in the championship’s last four. Later that afternoon they learned their would meet Crokes in the semi-finals after the Southsiders saw off Ballyboden St Enda’s by 1-17 to 0-13 after extra-time in Parnell Park.
On the other side of the draw, Cuala will face Ballymun Kickhams following the Dalkey club’s comfortable 2-13 to 1-10 victory over Castleknock in Parnell Park on Friday night.
Eoin Kennedy’s first-half goal helped Cuala to a 1-6 to 0-4 half-time lead and Con O’Callaghan sealed the matter when crashing home past Morven Connolly in the 42nd minute. While Conor Chawke found the net for Castleknock in the 57th minute, it proved a mere consolation score.
The second quarter-final that evening saw Ballymun beat St Vincent’s by 0-10 to 1-5. James Brady’s first-half goal handed St Vincent’s the early initiative but ultimately the accuracy of Dean Rock saw Kickhams prevail.
Dublin SFC quarter-finals: Cuala 2-13 Castleknock 1-10; Ballymun Kickhams 0-10 St Vincent’s 1-5; Na Fianna 1-20 Clontarf 1-15; Kilmacud Crokes 1-17 Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-13 (after extra-time).
